BY PLANE TO POLE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2713, 22 June 1925, Page 7

BY PLANE TO POLE

KEEN MCE FOR MODI PREDICTED Amundsen And His Intrepid Five DRAMATIC STORY OF RETURN JOURNEY. OCEAN THEORY CONFIRMED. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 11.5 p.m.) OSLO, June 21. M. Otto Sverdrup, the Polar explorer, said. "The chief value of the flights is confirmation of the correctness of our theories of the Polar basin. There is no land near the Pole and the condition of the ice makes the landing of aeroplanes impossible Amundsen had to come down in a water lane . and those who kown the caprices of the Polar ice realise how dangerous this is. Amundsen’s aviators knew and the landing was therefore more -admirable. Certainly there is the deepest disappointment that they did not reach the Pole, from a sporting viewpoint. The flight was glorious, but apart from that, further wide experiences have been gained for aeroplanes in Polar regions." In replying to further questions, SI. Sverdrup said ho believed others would now try to reach the Pole by aeroplane, but he pointed out that the North Pole was more difficult than the South Poie, “I believe the best way to reach the North Pole is to go by ship as far as possible, then with sledges and dogs to the Pole and back to the ship. Far more experience must be gathered if an atteippt is to be made to fly to the Pole. In regard to landing on 'ice or snow, the best way would bo to stay for a year or so at the northernmost point of Spitzbergen, studying the circumstances. ,but that would cost lots of money and time which latter would be impossible in the light of this modern race for the Poie.” One of the chief scientific results of Amundsen’s observations was the record of extensive masses of mist which existed in the Polar regions. It has hitherto been believed that these mists were only local phenomena. A wide ocean exists north of Spitzbergen, and Amundsen recorded a depen of 3766 metres, which led him to the conclusion that an ocean existed in the triangle between Spitzbergen, the North Pole and North Greenland* MOST THBILLUNG MOMENT* WHEN RETURN FLIGHT COMMENCED. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. “We were slowly getting to know the full facts of the returned airmens’ three weeks’ adventure,” states a wireless from Heimdal. “When the whole expedition once again met last night, they declared the most thrilling moment was when the start was made on the homeward flight. It was a very anxious time, as, if the machine were damaged in starting, they would find themselves in a most critical situation with the minimum of equipment. It would have practically hopeless to reach land across the ico. "The airmen refuse to admit they were disappointed at not reaching the Pole although they all hoped to reach the Polo as a crown to their efforts. Still, they are satisfied with the scientific result. They have observed 160,000 square kilometres of a hitherto unexplored section of the Norwegian part of the Arctic and took complete observations at their landing place. “Amundsen states he fully concurs with this view., While a meal was being prepared, the airmen suddenly espied the sealer Sjocliv. As a matter of fact, the Hobby had been at the same spot only twenty-eight hours previously. All were prepared to find the plane in a bad condition, as it had suffered seriously while being locked in the ice, hut it was quite fitted for flying. Omdal brougrht with him on the Sjoeliv a biscuit tin with six hundred negatives, which will show the superhuman work carried out by the explorers in trying to clear a starting place. They used the most primitive tools—tiny anchors. Ice anchors and knives at the end of the ski staves.” OSLO BELFDAGGED. LINCOLN ELLSWORTH’S MONET AVAILABLE. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) , OSLO, June 19. At the opening of the Storthing, the President said' he wished to express the'sentimens of all on the occasion of the safe return of Capt. Amundsen ana his brave comrades from their daring journey, wherein they staked their lives. A telegraph was accordingly sent to Amundsen welcoming him and his courageous comrades home and thanking him for the courage and energy he had shown for the benefit of research and the honour of his country. The whole of Oslo is beflagged to celebrate the occasion. Numerous authorities, Institutions and associations have, been sent to Amundsen congratulatory telegrams. Amundsen is determined to resume his attempt to reach the Pole. He declared the experience he had gained Would enable him to attainHhe goal. Other members of the expedition expressed the opinion that important scientific results bad been achieved. Lincoln Ellsworth, the American member of the expedition, whose father largely helped to finance the expedition was grieved to bear his father had died while the expedition was In ,

tho Artcio. Ho said his money in future would be at Amundsen’s disposal. TWO-HOUR JOURNEY TO JAPAN. WHAT AMUNDSEN HAS SHOWN. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, June 20. The "Daily Telegraph" says Amundsen’s adventure suggests that the time may come when men, flying- over th< North Pole, will reach Japan in a little over a couple of hours. “SUNSHINE.” PASSWORD TO~AVIATOR’S WIFE (Received Sunday 7 p.m) OSLO, Juno 19. The w-ives of the aviators Riisei Larsen and Deitrichsen, are tin heroines of the day. The former saic her husband, before his departure stated when he returned he woulc wire one word -‘Sunshine.” “Yesterday Amundsen’s representative telephoned asking me to come dowr town. "Good news?” I asked, "Sunshine,” he replied.” Mrs Riiser Larsen said: “I nevei doubted that my husband would return, for he always said he believec tho flight w-ould succeed. Wher Amundsen’s representative telephoned “Sunshine,” I could do nothing bui sit down and try to realise -what il meant. Then I remembered, and the practical precaution was taken ol sentencing the children to remain the rest of the day behind locked doors in order that the nows would not be spoilt for the newspapers, but I could not possibly keep the glad tidings from the children that father was alive and returning home. IJow could I?” “WELL DONE, OLD NORWAY 1* SHIP TO FETCH ABANDONED ’PLANE. (Received Sunday 7 p.m) OSLO, June 19. The sloop Heimdal has left King’s Bay for Lady Franklin’s Bay to fetch Amundsen’s abandoned aeroplane Tho Premier has received a telegram from Amundsen, saying he had surveyed GO.OOO square kilometres, ‘we did not discover any indication of and. Casting the lead in our northinmost latitude gave 3750 metres, ending to the supposition that no and exists in the Norwegian sector of he Polar basin.” The British Minister cabled to Amundsen: “Well done, old Norway!'-’ KING HAAKON’S GREETINGS. ONE OF GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN HISTORY. (Received Sunday 7 p.m) OSLO, June 19. King Haakon has sent a message to Amundsen: “I welcome you and your ;omrades, and thank you for what ■ou have achieved, adding further lonour to the country’s name.” The King, In a special address to labinot, said he regarded the achicve-nent-as one of the greatest in history. VALUABLE EQUIPMENT ABANDONED. BIRD LIFE FURTHEST NORTH. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.l LONDON, June 20. A message from the Heimdal relates ow the start was made homewards, ho polar airmen said the course was ud to Verlegonhook and then the forth coast of Spitzbergen came in ight, it was evident Riiser Larsen’s iloting and Dietrichsen’s navigating ad both been perfect. Owing to a trong wind, tho course was laid toards North Cape. As the stabilisation adders had become immovable, howver, making it impossible to stabilise le plane, Riiser Larsen determined to escend into the sea about forty kiioletres north of North Cape. After kimming the water for an hour, the lane was moored to an iceberg In 'ungle Bay. Amundsen, during tho flight, sat ext to Omdal and Fcuoht on the etrol tank. With a view of lightening ie plane, the scientific instruments, alued at £SOO had to be left behind, hese, together with the surplus ijuipment and stores, were placed in lane N 24, though it is most unlikely ie plane will ever be seen again. A undle of letters was deposited in the etrol tank, which, being very light, lay be discovered some years hence, he explorers relate that they saw a earded seal, also auks and two geese, hich is a most interesting fact, as itherto it has been assumed no anllal life existed north of latitude ighty-flve degrees. “LIKE RATS IN A TRAP.” LONDON, June 19. Captain Amundsen says that there 'as nothing in his South Polar expeItion comparable with the hardships ie flying party suffered. They were aught like rats in a trap. When they tarted homeward they realised that it 'as a case of life or death. When it was mentioned to Amund--3n that the whole world thought he 'as bound to come to Cape Columbia e said that with conditions so severe, iat would have meant certain death. Mr Ellsworth is least changed by ie hardships; Riison-Larsen, Dietichsen, Omdal, and Feucth have all Dst many pounds in weight, but therwise are quite well. Mr Prestrud, who accompanied jnundsen to the South Pole, exresses the opinion that the best leans of going to the Pole is by an irship, which could be anchored to void the risk of being frozen In. THE PERSONNEL. The personnel of the Polar party, ■hich left Spitzbergen on May 21, Flying-Boat N 25. Captain Roald Amundsen (Navigair) Lieutentant Hjalman Elisor Larsen Pilot). Carl Foucht (Mechanic). Flying-Boat N 24: Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth (Navigator). Lieutenant Leif Dietrichsen (Pilot). Flight-Lieutenant Oskar pmdal